Wikipedia:Reference desk archive/Miscellaneous/2006 August 7

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[edit] Russian 343rd Rifle Division

Hello, I am asking for any information on the 343rd Russian Rifle Division on the Eastern front in World War Two.

I have searched many sites and search engines and have not found very much, what information I have found says they have an untold story.

Any help would be appreciated.

  • You might find more info if you know which battles the division was involved in. The Eastern Front was a big place.... Lisiate 22:12, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Winning McDonalds coin drop challenge

What's the strategy to drop the quarter into the waterfilled jar?

Wha? DirkvdM 07:54, 7 August 2006 (UTC)
I think of it more as a Dairy Queen thing, but some fast food chains have a tall, thin jar near the till, filled with water, with a series of small targets little larger than a quarter a short distance up from the bottom. Air is bubbled through the water, and (I think) the targets are mounted to a central shaft that you can rotate. The money goes to a charity, and there may be a prize for landing your money on the target. I don't think that there necessarily is a strategy; the bubbling water is somewhat chaotic in motion, and quarters fall quickly through the water (since they must go through a coin slot edgewise). Your best bet is probably to practice on pennies, but beyond that, I think it's as much random as skill. --ByeByeBaby 13:13, 7 August 2006 (UTC)
I don't think the mcdonald's staff will look kindly on a guy coming in with a jar of pennies and practicing all day. But if you want my advice, just bring a lot of nickels and put them all into the thing until the level of the coins in the tank is at the level of the lowest platter, then just use the spinner to scoop one up. At that point they can hardly refuse you your prize (if they offer one) - you've just donated several dollars to charity after all. --Froth 15:36, 7 August 2006 (UTC)
Indeed. The chaotic system allows no easy strategies. --Proficient 04:14, 9 August 2006 (UTC)
I bet if you casually unplugged it you could get it to work. But that would be pretty unethical. --Fastfission 20:05, 11 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] What's that song?

It goes "I've become so wrong" or something, and "I becoming this, all I want to do is be more like me and be less like you". What's the name?

Apparently "Numb" [1] according to a quick Google search on "more like me and less like you". Google is a good way to answer this kind of question; there's also a reference desk section specficially for music. Phr (talk) 02:11, 7 August 2006 (UTC)
Yes, it's Numb by Linkin Park. However, if you heard the song on the trailers for the Miami Vice movie, then that's Numb/Encore, a mix of Numb and Encore by LP and Jay Z. smurrayinchester(User), (Talk) 18:17, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Photographing a book cover

I want to photograph a book whose cover is wrapped in that shiny plastic protective stuff, so I get pretty bad reflections. I tried shooting it outdoors in shadow under overcast, to get very soft lighting, but that wasn't enough. Unfortunately the plastic stuff doesn't stay perfectly flat, so oblique lighting also gets reflected into the camera. I guess I could remove the plastic thing but I'd rather avoid that, and even if I do, the dust jacket itself is on shiny paper and has the same problem. Any more suggestions? In particular, would a polarizer help? (I'd have to go out and buy one, which I'd only do if I thought it would make a difference). See Image:Codex-seraphinianus-abbeville.jpg for an example of such reflections, though I'm trying to do a different book now. Phr (talk) 02:11, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

I'd say you should remove the plastic. Then take the pic straight on with reflected soft lighting (no direct light). StuRat 04:25, 7 August 2006 (UTC)
I'm not sure whether this would help, but have you thought about covering it with a piece of picture glass? We don't seem to have an article about it, but I mean the non-reflective glass used to protect pictures.--Shantavira 08:49, 7 August 2006 (UTC)
I hadn't thought about that. It might be worth a try. That glass is pretty expensive though, and I guess it would have to be pressed tight against the book cover to eliminate any air gaps under the glass, which might not be easy. Phr (talk) 08:58, 7 August 2006 (UTC)
If you use ordinary glass that should help to keep the cover flat, though. Another idea is to prevent direct light, as StuRat already pointed out. Photographing outside was the right idea, but by far most light will still come from the direction where the Sun is, even on a cloudy day (we don't notice that because our eyes compensate for it). So it would be best to do that in the shade of a house. And maybe even better to do that on a cloudy day to maximise the scattering of light. DirkvdM 09:06, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

Have you tried scanning it instead or is there a reason it must be a photo?

Just position it so that the main light source is on the opposite side of the book, then it cannot reflect off of the near side. Philc TECI 13:41, 9 August 2006 (UTC)
What a weird cover. I'd try scanning it. Barring that, I'd try taking two pictures of it, one with glare on each side, and try to stitch it together in Photoshop. --Fastfission 20:04, 11 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] East Timor Resources

What are East Timors Resources and how do they use them? Thanx

Economy of East Timor will give you an idea. David Sneek 06:37, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Page about ME

Hello, Are there any Wikipedia rules that would prohibit me from writing a Wikipedia entry about myself? How cool would that be! As!a

Yeah, check out our policy on vanity. This might be useful too. Isopropyl 04:47, 7 August 2006 (UTC)
If you create an account you can write all you wish about yourself on your user page. As for an actual Wikipedia article - have you done anything that makes you important enough to merit one? DirkvdM 08:50, 7 August 2006 (UTC)
We're all special --Froth 15:37, 7 August 2006 (UTC)
I would like to point out that signing up just to make a userspace and not contribute to the project itself is using Wikipedia as a free host service which is explicitly forbidden in WP:NOT (as is self-promotion). I recommend not writing about yourself regardless of whether you're famous enough. - 87.209.70.231 10:35, 8 August 2006 (UTC)
So being special is not a notability trait. As I'm not so much special, maybe would I be notable enough ? --DLL 19:59, 7 August 2006 (UTC)
If someone else has written about you in a print publication, then you can start thinking about whether or not you deserve an article. And by then chances are that someone else will have made the article already. —Daniel (‽) 20:23, 7 August 2006 (UTC)
Froth is right, we're all special. (Rant time) I object to the way the media calls any kid with cancer a "special child". It's not that they're not special, but the message seems to be that in order to be considered special, you've got to be a cute kid who happens to have a terminal disease. And kids who get run over or attacked are always "angels". Well, of course they are, but what about the kids who have the misfortune not to be run over or attacked? Are they devils or something? (End of rant). JackofOz 12:47, 8 August 2006 (UTC)
You're right, they aren't special, but they are heroes. ;-) --Fastfission 20:02, 11 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] three in one

okay..are the reality tv series - apprentice and rebel billionaire actually true?or is it fiction.do they actually reward thsoe guyz with jobs in their companies as when in if i decided to go top trump tower al find bill,or if i go to virgin al find the guy who won. who shot tupac?is it suge knight? who shot jfk?

To answer your first question, the jobs actually exist (as one-year contracts), but are probably as much a publicity/public relations job as a "real" job. Bill Rancic probably spends more time promoting "his" building than he does negotiating with sprinkler system subcontractors. For the rest, you should read our articles on Tupac Shakur, John F. Kennedy and Capitalization. --ByeByeBaby 13:19, 7 August 2006 (UTC)
Reality show means it really happened, and least in some sense. Try reading The Apprentice and Rebel Billionaire and use the search box for more information on the other topics.--Shantavira 13:17, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Merely Semantic or functioning words?

[I'm setting up a not for profit organisation (Aviation Services and Development in West Africa) and I'm having difficulties understanding what an Executive Council is and if members of this council get paid. I am also confused about the difference between a Trustee and a Patron and if either of these get paid in an NPO? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 196.29.120.70 (talk • contribs)

The rules will vary from one country to another. I suggest you contact the appropriate regulatory body in the particular country in which you are setting up this organisation. They should be able to provide you with an information pack explaining the rules. It will be the equivalent of the UK's Charity Commission or the tax department. Another local non-profit organisation might also be able to advise you.--Shantavira 13:43, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] General Colin Powell

How would I contact General Colin Powell - via email or USPS letter? Thank you.

HERE.--Anchoress 13:25, 7 August 2006 (UTC)
You'd probably have best luck at the mailing address they give:
  • Hon. Colin Powell
  • Secretary of State
  • U.S. Department of State
  • 2001 C Street NW
  • Washington, DC 20520

--Froth 15:40, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

Apparently Powell now works here. This company's address is here. If you write to him as Secretary of State, it might just go to the office of Condoleeza Rice. --Allen 15:47, 7 August 2006 (UTC)
Oh of course! I merely saw a mailing address on the page, decided it would be taken more seriously than an email, and pasted it here so nobody would have to go to that organization's website. I should have read more carefully --Froth 15:51, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

You can always send mail to his son, Semicolon. :-) 02:07, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

That would be even funnier if his wife's name was Dot. :-p --Phelan 03:01, 9 August 2006 (UTC)
Yes, "Colon and Dot led an idyllic life, except that it was punctuated by occasional bouts of PMS, just before her period. Unfortunately, eventual doubts regarding young Semicolon's paternity left a question mark over their lives." StuRat 03:10, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Hot conditioning treatments - how hot is too hot?

I found an awesome way to condition my hair, by gooing it with oodles of conditioner and olive oil, putting it in a plastic bag, and putting the bag on my heating pad. My hair has never been better. But I wonder, how hot can I set the pad before I'm actually damaging my hair with the heat? I asked my hairdresser, but she just said that I should quit and go back to paying her $60 for treatments in the salon, so I think she's biased. Let me make it clear, the treatments (on low) definitely work. I've been doing it for 6 months, and the positive effects are at worst reproducable (sp?), and at best cumulative. But I'm wondering how high a setting I can use? Can hair actually burn when below boiling point wet heat is applied to it?--Anchoress 13:23, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

If it's working on the low setting, no need to turn it up! Be careful not to get the heating pad wet - oil and "oodles of conditioner" may be flammable. Also I'd question the heating pad's involvement at all.. do you get the same results without heat? --Froth 15:43, 7 August 2006 (UTC)
I understand the reasoning, but if hotter is better I'd like to try hotter. And definitely the heat works better. Any heat is better than none, and the heating pad is better than any other heat source I've tried. And don't worry, I've never had a leak. I use two layers of plastic bag sealed to my ponytail with elastics, it's never leaked.--Anchoress 17:24, 7 August 2006 (UTC)
I'd be worried about it leaking out, say if you are forced to evacuate your house in a hurry. Hot enough oil could severely burn your scalp and even cause death. I suspect that, like most chemical reactions, heat only speeds up the reaction, it doesn't change the reaction. So, a longer time at a lower temp should have the same effect, and yet be much safer. StuRat 09:15, 8 August 2006 (UTC)
Well take my word for it, safety is not an issue. And believe me, I've had long hair for most of my life (and BTW I don't condition my whole hair, just the bottom foot of it, so it never touches my scalp, it's totally sealed in a plastic bag), and I have never had such a good condition, even when I used to leave cold conditioner and oil on my head overnight. So I'm not saying you're wrong, but I'd have to leave conditioner on my hair for days, or maybe weeks, to have the same effect 2 hours with the hot treatment has on my hair. And BTW, thanks for the concern, but there's no way a substance heated with a heating pad, even on high, could cause death when applied to the scalp lol. It isn't even hot enough to burn, just a bit uncomfortable.--Anchoress 09:21, 8 August 2006 (UTC)
I thought it said "heating plate", and those get hot enough to cook things. I suppose heating pads are a lot cooler. StuRat 20:10, 8 August 2006 (UTC)
LOL yeah well that would be dangerous. --Anchoress 01:59, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

I thought it was pretty straightforward (cuz I said I put my hair in a bag, and put the bag on the heating pad (rather than saying I put my head in a bag and put my head on the heating pad) but maybe people are not able to picture this. I have below waist-length hair. I put the hair in a ponytail on top of my head. I take two produce bags (not shopping bags, long clear plastic produce bags, like bread bags). I put some conditioner and oil in one, then I put my hair in it, squeeze out the air and close it with an elastic at the top of my head over the ponytail elastic. Then I take a wet facecloth, wrap that around the bag, put the other bag over it, squeeze the air out of that, and seal the whole thing with another elastic. The whole thing is totally contained, and if I put a hat over my head I can actually go out wearing it. Then, I get comfy on the sofa and put the bags on the heating pad, which is resting on a pillow on the arm of the sofa above (not under) my head. My heating pad no way gets hot enough to flash oil, or even alcohol, lol. But there is no way it would ever leak, and it isn't the slightest bit unsafe. :-) Hope that clears things up for the safety-conscious posters.--Anchoress 09:31, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

When I first read this, I thought you had a wig! "...put my hair in a bag..." When I've burnt hair before, it's always been with a flame. I know hair straighteners can burn hair if left too long in one place, but I don't imagine anything you can hold your hand against without burning yourself will cause problems. Skittle 15:02, 8 August 2006 (UTC)
Yeah, I put my hair in a bag along with my false teeth and glass eye, lol.--Anchoress 01:59, 9 August 2006 (UTC)
hi Anchoress, just want to ask which conditioner do you use, and do you mix it with olive oil directly? and how long do you keep the mixture before you wash your hair? Sorry for being weird and asking you this but I am intrested in soothing my hair too .
No probs. It's an awesome treatment so I love to recommend it. My hair is very long but not very thick, and I need a total of about 3/4 of a cup of mixture, comprised of: two conditioners, SBT Seabuckthorn and Redken Allsoft for chemically-treated hair, and olive oil (I don't bother getting EVOO). I need about 2 tablespoons of each of the conditioners and 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and I mix them in a cup and put it on dry hair. This is important for two reasons; it keeps the mixture from getting too messy, and it keeps to a minimum the amount of water absorbed by the hair. I put the whole thing in a bag and leave it on under heat for at least an hour, preferably two. Hope that helps; don't hesitate to ask anything else you want to know.--Anchoress 11:44, 9 August 2006 (UTC)
Oh I wanted to add that it's important to use conditioner with the olive oil, because the conditioner makes the oil wash away much more easily; you don't have to wash your hair 8 times before showing your face in public.--Anchoress 11:49, 9 August 2006 (UTC)
I also wanted to add that re: the oil, a finer, 'cosmetic-friendly' oils like fruit seed oils (grapeseed, avocado, apricot, etc) would probably be marginally better than olive; and palm, coconut, jojoba or shea would probably be good too. I don't think any oil would be bad, but personally I wouldn't use a bleached, heat extracted or other generic cooking oil. Also make sure it isn't rancid, or you'll stink forever. As it is, I smell a bit like mayonnaise for a day or so.--Anchoress 14:54, 9 August 2006 (UTC)
Thanks a lot Anchoress for sharing a precious piece of information,honestly so nice of you.Wish you all the very best in you life.

[edit] Rediffusion pole.

Is there any one out there who can tell me if there is any one still responsable for Rediffusion equipment left behind because I have a very large pole with wire leading from it in my back garden. Besides it being in the way, I am concerned that it might be unsafe. Thanks for any help given, Val.

After almost 40 years, I would expect it to manifest some kind of trouble if it were dangerous. Also if nobody's come by and claimed it yet, I wouldn't hesitate to take it down - perhaps fold it up or something and tuck it away in case you're held liable in the future --Froth 15:49, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] History : Furniture.

What was the original purpose of bed headboards?

Peter Buck

Probably to keep the pillow from falling off the back of the bed, especially while you're sleeping. See Headboard (furniture) --Froth 15:45, 7 August 2006 (UTC)
Or, if you live in warmer climes, to protect your head from the centipedes and scorpions that crawl up the walls.--Anchoress 17:22, 7 August 2006 (UTC)
Something to hold onto.--Teutoberg 18:23, 7 August 2006 (UTC)
Especially for the seal. --LambiamTalk 23:54, 7 August 2006 (UTC)
Never forget vanity. It may be that heaboards came about to show the difference in beds between the ordinary folk and their ruler. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 08:28, 8 August 2006 (UTC)
I can attest to the pillow retention reason. My current bed lacks a headboard and, sure enough, the pillow keeps falling behind the bed. A secondary reason is that colored sheets and blankets pressing against a white wall can discolor it. StuRat 09:06, 8 August 2006 (UTC)
Funny, on my bed the pillow keeps getting lodged behind the headboard, making it a pain to get it back. smurrayinchester(User), (Talk) 20:47, 8 August 2006 (UTC)
It sounds like your headboard isn't high enough. My last bed with a headboard had one about two feet higher than the mattress, so you would have to throw the pillow to get it over that. StuRat 17:25, 9 August 2006 (UTC)
Certainly scorpions can climb above it and onto your head. --Proficient 04:16, 9 August 2006 (UTC)
The bed frame should be placed clear of the walls, not against them. The headboard then keeps the mattress from shifting position up against the wall. While a scorpion can still climb up the bed legs, there are cures for that, too, like glue boards around the feet. StuRat 17:25, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] what's brown and dirty and comes out of Cowes?

what's brown and dirty and comes out of Cowes?

Dunno. But you forgot to link to "s". David Sneek 17:08, 7 August 2006 (UTC)
Not to mention "'". David Sneek 17:08, 7 August 2006 (UTC)
You may be thinking of a very old joke enquiring what is brown and comes steaming backwards out of Cowes. The answer used to be the Isle of Wight ferry, but these ferries are now white.--Shantavira 17:36, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Three columns of Userboxes

How do you make three columns of Userboxes? If you see User:Reywas92/Userboxes, I have two columns, but I want three. Thanks! Reywas92 17:01, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

You'll probably have to remake all your tables. You would need one wikitable that looks somewhat like the one below (view the edit box—I can't make the space-before-the-line method work. Hyenaste (tell) 22:54, 7 August 2006 (UTC)
About me {{userbox}} {{userbox}}
{{userbox}} {{userbox}} {{userbox}}
{{userbox}} Interests {{userbox}}
etc... etc... etc...

[edit] Washington Flag

Washington (state)
Place your cursor in the blank space on the left and click. It is the flag of Washington state. I have put this in my user page, but it is all white, and it is invisible here too. Why? Could someone please fix it? Thanks! Reywas92 17:44, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

I don't know. It's an SVG picture, which means it's made of vector graphics rather than bitmap graphics. Clicking on it displays it converted to PNG, which is a bitmap format. Maybe it's something to do with SVG. JIP | Talk 17:58, 7 August 2006 (UTC)
I fixed it. You can't make it 70 pixels for some reason. — [Mac Davis] (talk)
Is it fixed? Still looks white to me. - THE GREAT GAVINI {T-C} 07:02, 8 August 2006 (UTC)
Look fine to me in IE. What browser doesn't it appear in?--Shantavira 07:31, 8 August 2006 (UTC)
  • Have you tried refreshing the page? - 87.209.70.231 10:31, 8 August 2006 (UTC)
Wait, no, it's fine now. Phew! - THE GREAT GAVINI {T-C} 14:56, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] School question

plz i am in ghana and did go to school but could not complete my highschool.but now i want to school in the nursing field at canada .so plz i will like to know how it will go and the steps i will be taking.i dont have any relations there but i want to school there and pursue my degree thank you

I think this question would have better chances on the 'Misc' page.--Light current 16:18, 7 August 2006 (UTC)
You would probably first have to pass the GED test. Then you would need to be accepted into a nursing school. Some nursing programs may help you with the first part. Here is a directory of Canadian nursing schools [2]. Nowimnthing 19:35, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] JOB SEARCH FOR EX-LAWYER/BUSINESS MAN

Open Research Question:

I'm looking for particular professional career managers, search groups, usernets, agencies, descriptive information on empolyers, job locations and professional career availability in Los Angeles and Orange Counties and in Las Vegas, Nevada and Orlando, Florida. I find MONSTER, CAREER BUILDER, DICE and other websites entirely useless; including Korn Ferry and Futurestep.

I've made the transition from Law into marketing, sales, and executive management and I find that having a J.D. and having once practiced law (no longer active), although useful, makes me a priaha in the employment field.

Hopefully, search information, data on employers, etc. would help. Any other suggestions would be likewise reviewed with interests.

Please email me at email removed for your own good Thanks, Kit

[edit] Report

Im doing a report on Arabic Language Wikipedia and information on it is pretty scarce, I was wondering if you could provide any info, or sources? Thanks--Elatanatari 21:49, 7 August 2006 (UTC) Just General information such as a basic history, important events/milestones, distinguishing characteristics, and if possible some information about censorship.

If you don't get an answer here, you might contact some of the Users listed at Category:User ar. This is for Users of the English language Wikipedia who speak Arabic. User:Zoe|(talk) 23:39, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

Thanks--69.215.245.243 19:44, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

Google might be helpful. --Proficient 04:17, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Jewellery

I am looking to find a peice of jewellery i have , just to find some information on it do you have any search engines on that or would you know of any websites that might be of intrests.

I wouldn't think you'd have much luck searching the Internet unless you know a lot about it; like the type of jewelry, materials, manufacturer, age, etc. If you don't have that info, you might want to take it to an antique dealer, specializing in jewelry, for identification and appraisal. StuRat 09:00, 8 August 2006 (UTC)
EBay might help to find related objects' prices. -- DLL .. T 19:02, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Adding to the site

Is it possible to add to the site and if so how do i go about doing so?

I wanted to add a definition/biography for Richard Alvin, who at 30 was the owner of Docklands News & City & Islington News Weekly Newspapers and whose company produced the first corporate magazine for London 2012, but was also the elected Vice Chairman of the Docklands Business Club for 5 years and at 27 the youngest member of the London Chamber of Commerce Board.

My contact details are: e-mail address deleted

Anyone can edit an existing article by clicking on the "edit this page" tab at the top of the page. To start a new article requires you to create an account first, by clicking the "create account" link in the top right-hand corner of any Wikipedia page. Then if you click Richard Alvin you will get an edit box where you can start editing. Make sure that your article meets the notability requirements for people and the policies such as neutral point of view and verifiability. See also Your first article. Happy editing. --LambiamTalk 00:10, 8 August 2006 (UTC)
Since when do you need an account to create an article? The 'how to' section for creating articles doesn't mention it, neither does the 'contributing' section.--Anchoress 00:33, 8 August 2006 (UTC)
Not sure what pages you're looking at - Help:Starting a new page mentions it in the very first sentence. As for when, it was put in by Jimbo Wales following the John Seigenthaler Sr. Wikipedia biography hoo-hah. --Sam Blanning(talk) 00:39, 8 August 2006 (UTC)
Oh, OK, news to me. The articles I was looking at were both in the FAQ, 'contributing' and 'how to'.--Anchoress 00:48, 8 August 2006 (UTC)


Usually it's a good idea to have an account. --Proficient 04:18, 9 August 2006 (UTC)